Bongo Fury

Hi guys,

My bongo has been in my garage unused for 6 years while I've been busy having three kids.

Unsurprisingly, it won't start although the (new) battery is fine and the starter and solenoid are ok (bench tested).

I think the engine or something is seized as nothing turns when I try to start - just clicking from the starter solenoid.

Any advice on what I could try doing to unseized it or diagnose the problem?

Ta

Plan B is a new engine.

Have you tried turning the engine over by hand with a spanner on the crankpulley ? If it wont turn take the drive belts off in case the alternator or A/C compressor is seized.

Thanks nth

I haven't tried that as it isn't very accessible (can just about reach it by hand but obviously not able to put any force on it).

Will removing the top panel (to which the gear stick and hand brake are connected) give adequate access?

Cheers

Tony

By top panel I mean the metal body covering the engine - not simply the plastic bit which I've obviously already removed!

might be easier access from underneath. on the off chance its a manual you could rock it in gear

Could just be your starter motor - these are known to play up and a cheap repair pack is available.

Thanks Mike,

I bench tested the starter and solenoid and all seemed fine.

Is that a K6?

Tony

TonyBongo wrote:Thanks Mike,

I bench tested the starter and solenoid and all seemed fine.

Is that a K6?

Tony

Apologies, replied in a hurry while watching tv

Ha ha yes its. Ka6CR that i had a share in many years back. Lovely little plane that i took on a couple of 100k xc flights. Happy days.

Engine situation is interesting. I'll be interested to see how it goes. Hard to believe engine might have to be written off.

If the engine was seized I would expect there to be some sound from the starter itself, trying to turn. You could monitor the battery voltage as you try as although the starter solenoid works on the bench with no load it may well fail under high currents required to turn the engine. You could try shorting the solenoid out and see if the engine turns. Changing the solenoid contacts is easy and cheap.

Pleased to report that the engine isn't siezed. Jiggled the flywheel via screwdriver in bell case inspection hole. flywheel turning as I try to start engine, but it's not picking up.

Not sure whether I need to bleed the fuel pump/injectors? I tried depressing the manual pump on top of the fuel filter a few dozen times.

Any suggestions?

if its 6 year old fuel i would try running it on a fuel can supply direct into the pump, with some fuel pump/injector cleaner in it, then crack the injector pipes etc.
the old fuel maybe a little cheeeeeeeeeesey.

Thanks. Good advice.

BP suggests diesel lasts 6-12 months before gumming up so after 6 years it's probably.....past its best!

Just got to figure out how to do it now! By 'cracking injector pipes' do you mean removing injectors?

Cheers

Tony

Just loosening them should do it, crank engine then tighten as fuel comes out.

As a one off, might it be acceptable to use that quick start stuff you spray in the air intake?

Hi
If t hasn't run for that long, you DEFINITELY need to drain the fuel, empty all the fuel lines / filters and start with fresh juice...Depending on fuel quality to start with, it CAN deteriorate in 6- 9 months...you might get a wee bit more, but 6 years it's DEFINITELY naff....as Ady says ....CHEESY
Cheers
Helen